The Naked Cowboy Reveals Annual Earnings and Business Empire in Times Square
Robert John Burck, known as the Naked Cowboy, revealed his Times Square earnings range from 150,000 to 250,000 dollars annually, supported by side businesses.
Robert John Burck, better known as the Naked Cowboy, has revealed for the first time how much he earns from his long-running street performance in Times Square. According to an interview with Business Insider, he pulls in about 150,000 dollars in a normal year, peaking at 250,000 dollars in his best years, and dipping to a low of 25,000 to 30,000 dollars during tougher times.
Two Decades in Midtown Manhattan
Burck, 55, has been a fixture in Midtown Manhattan for over two decades. He continues to entertain tourists wearing his trademark cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and underwear, performing in the plazas around the busy intersection as crowds gather for photos and tips. Street performances remain at the core of the personal brand he built over the years, accompanied by various ventures tied to his iconic persona.
Burck's income today stems from performances and side businesses. Over the past year, he earned about 50,000 dollars from personalized video messages on the Cameo platform, another 7,800 dollars from a venture called Naked Cowboy Enterprises, a brand franchise featuring several other cowboys and cowgirls operating at different spots in Times Square, from whom he collects franchise fees.
"Consistency and visibility on the pavement helped establish the character, opening up additional avenues for commercializing the brand far beyond Times Square," Burck explained.
Daily Routine and Financial Discipline
Burck describes his work as part of a highly structured daily routine. When not traveling or attending major events, he heads out to Times Square daily after spending his mornings reading and working out. His early hours are dedicated to books on mythology, psychology, and sociology, a habit he views as part of a disciplined lifestyle.
Financially, Burck emphasizes perseverance and asset protection, reporting that he holds 250,000 dollars in personal savings, has zero debt, and has kept the same credit card from Ohio for 30 years.
